Welcome to the Australian Bush Poets Association
WELCOME. Membership of the Australian Bush Poets Association (ABPA) is comprised of writers, performers
and individuals who are interested in bush poetry and enjoy written and live stories in rhyme and metre. If
you have an interest in this piece of Australian culture called bush poetry, you have come to the right place.
Aims
The objectives of the Australian Bush Poets Association are to foster and encourage the growth of bush poetry
in Australia. By definition, Australian bush poetry is metred and rhymed poetry about Australia, Australians
and/or the Australian way of life.
Membership
To join the Australian Bush Poets Association and receive our bi-monthly magazine, go to our
Membership page.
The ABPA keeps in touch with its members through this website (and forum) and our bi-monthly
magazine of bush poetry news, events, results of written and performance competitions as well as samples of contemporary
bush poetry. Many members have books, CDs and other products. These can be advertised in the magazine. For rates,
click here. The deadline for ads and other content for the magazine is the 22nd
of the month preceding publication. Magazines are published at the beginning of February, April, June, August, October and
December.
Check out our
Facebook page.
EKKA Poetry Competition
Vale Fran Bestwick
The wife of bush poetry writer and performer Harry Bestwick, Fran passed away in Orange NSW on Thursday 11 June 2026.
Harry wrote:
Till death do us part, a few words that we said…they still feel so fresh and so new
But now you’re no longer here by my side…I’m feeling I’m broken in two
From the pain you’ve carried, you now have been freed…this makes my loss easier to bear
But I’m finding my arms reaching out for a hug just to find you no longer are there.
Our deepest sympathies to Harry and family.
Fran’s funeral will be on Friday 26 June at Bathurst Uniting Church, 140A William Street, Bathurst NSW
at 11 am. Wear bright colours for Fran whose favourites were purple and green. Donations to
CareFlight
in lieu of flowers.
The service will be live streamed here.
Vale Harold Briggs
An enthusiastic performer and bush poetry ambassador, Harold Briggs, passed away on Tuesday 16 June 2026
(pictured at The Man From Snowy River Festival in Corryong, Victoria in 2004).
Harold was a spirited presenter with an unmistakable love for Australia and its heritage. A great supporter of other poets, he
attended many poetry festivals and events. He worked in earthmoving for many years around the Hunter Valley and would practice
poems while on the job. He was a memorable character and the ABPA extends condolences to his family.
Harold’s funeral will be held on Thursday 25 June at 2pm at Newcastle Memorial Gardens at Beresfield and a wake at
Beresfield Bowling Club afterwards.
The live stream is here.
Man from Snowy River Bush Festival
Poetry Events Manager Graeme Johnson, Matilda Award winner Debby Berryman and Clancy’s Choice winner Justin Geange.
THE VICTORIAN BUSH POETRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, 16th-19th April 2026
2026 marked the third consecutive year that the Victorian Bush Poetry Championships had been held in Corryong, Victoria
(as part of the Man from Snowy River Bush Festival) and the second consecutive year that $8000 in cash and prizes
were awarded for same.
As you would expect this attracted the ‘crème de la crème’ of talent from the ranks of the Australian Bush Poetry genre.
The Male Championship Performance sections were ‘chock a block’ full over the 4 competition sections with the likes of
Justin Geange, Jim Brown, Jim Lamb, Gerry Mannion, James Warren, Phil McManus, Michael Darby, Bruce Chandler, John Peel,
Bruce Clark, John Moyes and Ian Cole stepping up to show the audience what it was all about.
The Female Performance sections were a little bit lighter on, numbers wise, with Liz Dorsett, Debby Berryman, Annette Roberts,
Judy Boyd, Silvia Biesot and Pauline Pickering battling for the placings.
“The Man from Snowy River Recitation” section was won by Justin Geange with Debby Berryman in second and Jim Brown in third (pictured below).
The Yarnspinning section attracted 10 contestants and was won by Mick Coventry with Jim Bown in second and Matthew Hollis placed third.
The Poets’ Breakfasts (held on Banjo’s Block) attracted a full dance card every morning with the before-mentioned poets being joined by Lorraine McCrimmon, Janelle, Bruce ‘Bushranger’ Hill, Campbell the Swaggie, Maurie Foun, Seamus Foley, Joaney Clancy, Tony Bain, Marlene, Michelle Mannion, Tony Hayes & David Friday amongst others.
Geoffrey W. Graham held the audiences entranced with shows at the “Jack Riley Remembrance Ceremony” at the local museum and also popped up on the Rec Reserve stage here and there. Geoffrey also Mc’d the “Anzac Remembrance Concert” in the RSL Hall.
Featured Poets The Rhymer from Ryde, Peter Mace and Tim Sheed also appeared at the “Featured Artists Variety Concert” down in the showground and in various judges concerts around the grounds etc.
Musical concerts were provided by Christine Middleton and Colin O’Keeffe & Brendan Gallagher kept the late-night Aussie ‘Singalongs’ going round the campfire till the early hours of the morning.
The Written Serious section saw the judges Peter Mace, Tim Sheed and The Rhymer from Ryde sift their way through 48 entries whilst the Written Comedy section saw 39 entries. The Overall Written Champion was David Judge who took home the $1000 prize for his troubles.
The assembled crowds were well fed and watered thanks to the catering service provided by Bruce ‘Bushranger’ Hill and his eager staff who provided breakfasts, lunches and dinners on Banjo’s Block and in the Lions Youth Hall.
In closing, Poetry Events Manager Graeme Johnson would also like to offer special thanks to Kristy Streat (the Overall Events Manager) and Lisa Walsh (Volunteer Co-ordinator) for their tireless efforts in running the entire festival. Thanks also to Malcolm Batty (who was the Hall Monitor/Manager for the weekend). He would also like to thank each and every person who specifically volunteered to help run the Bush Poetry section of the event as it simply wouldn’t run without your eager support and participation. Thank you all very very much!
See you all again next year!
Yours, Graeme Johnson.
See full results here.
Poetry Performance Workshop viewable online
On Sunday 17 August the ABPA hosted a poetry performance workshop with Mel and Susie (2/3 of the judges for the 2025 National
Bush Poetry Championships). The workshop was recorded and can be viewed on the
Multimedia page.
Past Magazines now online
The historic magazines of the ABPA from its inception in 1994 are now available here. See how we used to look!
See previously featured poets.
See previously featured achievers.
NEW Anthology On Sale
A NEW Anthology of ABPA poets past and present is now on sale $28
posted (within Australia).
Living Bush Poetry.
Direct Deposit to ABPA Account:
Bendigo Bank
BSB 633000
Account 154842108
$28 (includes P & H)
and please inform the Treasurer to organise delivery.
See here for contact details.
On This Site
Membership Information
Forms and direct deposit information.
Forum
Take part in our online forum.
Multimedia
See and hear some of our modern Bush Poets.
Yarn Spinning
Poets often tell yarns too.
Read some great Aussie yarns.
Regular Events
You’ll find regular poetry gatherings around the country.
Featured Poets
Meet a poet or two.
Member Achievements
Read about what some of our members have achieved.
Roll of Honour
Australian Bush Poetry Champions and ABPA executive members.
Past Magazines
Past issues of the ABPA Magazine since 1994.
Magazine Advertising Rates
Disclaimer
Privacy Policy
2026 ABPA Committee
- ABPA Committee Executive
President — Peter Frazer
Vice President — Tim Sheed
Vice President — David Stanley
Secretary — Meg Gordon
Treasurer — Christine Middleton - Committee Members
Liz Dorsett
Debby Berryman
Jan Lewis
Marion Fitzgerald
Gerry Mannion
- ABPA State Delegates
NSW — Debby Berryman
Victoria — Jan Lewis
Queensland — Gerry Mannion
- Magazine Editor — Neil McArthur
Public Officer — Gregory North
Facebook Editor — Jan Lewis
Webmaster — Gregory North
President’s Report June - July ’26
2026 certainly kicked off to a good start for Bush poets across Australia, with two very
successful events held in NSW and Queensland in quick succession.
7th March saw “Verse in the Valley NSW Performance Championships”, Gloucester,
NSW, followed a week later on the 14th March by the “Logan Muddy River Performance
Poetry Competition”, Beenleigh, Queensland. Poets and spectators travelled significant
distances to both events and the standard of performances was excellent.
Not to be outdone the “Victorian Bush Poetry Championships” was held in Corryong,
Victoria 16th-19th April (as part of the Man from Snowy River Bush Festival). A strong field of
poets fronted up and treated the audience to some great bush poetry. It was great to see the
Queensland delegation attending in such force.
Special congratulations to Debby Berryman and Justin Geange for their outstanding
performances in virtually every section.
Whilst the current fuel crisis put a bit of a dampener on travelling for some, leading
to the unfortunate cancelling of some long established events, we can be assured that next
year these events will be back in full force and welcome our support.
I would take this opportunity to encourage poets to submit their works to the ABPA
inline magazine. Our editor Neil McArthur is always keen for more submissions, so let’s see
them.
The ABPA Committee has held its first meeting for 2026 and I am pleased to welcome
Liz Dorsett, Debby Berryman, Marion Fitzgerald and Gerry Mannion on board. Their energy
and enthusiasm will be an asset to our association.
At this first meeting for 2026, the committee has undertaken to look at our future
pathway and direction as an organisation. In the coming months members will be contacted
and encouraged to contribute to the conversation as we attempt to develop a mission statement
and a strategic plan to take ABPA forward. I look forward to hearing your suggestions.
It is with sadness I note the passing of two of ABPA’s long standing stalwarts. Rod Hansen
(14th May) and Claire Reynolds (18th May). On behalf of the Australian Bush Poetry fraternity,
I extend our sympathies and prayers to their families.
Take care of yourselves everyone,
Peter Frazer
ABPA President 2026.